Victor Verster Prison, also known as Drakenstein Correctional Centre, is a prison facility located near Paarl, approximately 60 km northeast of Cape Town, South Africa. Named after the nearby town of Victor Verster, this correctional facility gained international recognition as it was the place of Nelson Mandela's last detention prior to his release.
Originally built in 1968, Victor Verster Prison was initially designed as a low-security prison for mainly white male offenders. However, its significance largely stems from the fact that Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist and later South Africa's first black President, spent the final years of his 27-year imprisonment there. Mandela was transferred to Victor Verster Prison on December 9, 1988, and remained incarcerated there until his release on February 11, 1990.
Mandela's time at Victor Verster Prison marked a turning point in South African history. The prison became a symbolic site of hope and reconciliation during the country's transition from apartheid to democracy. The South African government, under pressure from domestic and international movements, eventually released Mandela, playing a crucial role in ending the oppressive apartheid system.
Since the end of apartheid, Victor Verster Prison has been transformed into a tourist attraction and heritage site, drawing visitors who wish to learn about the history of Mandela's imprisonment. The prison's facilities have been preserved, giving visitors the opportunity to see the room where he stayed, his office, and the famous prison gate where he took his first steps to freedom. The former Victor Verster Prison stands as a testament to Mandela's fight for justice and equality.
